FAQ
PORTABOTE FAQS
Below, you’ll find answers to our most frequently asked questions about PortaBote.
If you do not find the answer that you are looking for, please contact us.
STATEMENT OF ORIGIN
Caution!!! When purchasing a used Portaboat from a 3rd party seller, it is the new buyer's responsibility to obtain the Original Statement of Origin from the seller in order to register the boat with the DMV. This is basically the same as a pink slip for an automobile. Portabote International will not be able to provide, replace or reissue Statements of Origin.
WHAT MOTOR CAN I USE WITH A PORTABOTE?
Motor specs will vary depending upon the Portabote size.
8' Portabote allows up to 35 lbs., whereas the 10'/12'/14' allow up to 56 lbs.
The Shaft Length Short is 15", whereas Electric Motors for all Portabote sizes permit a Shaft Length of 30" to 42"
DOES PORTABOTE MEET COAST GUARD SPECS?
YES! All four models have been tested at a U.S. Coast Guard approved testing facility. The production models meet the latest compliance standards.
WHAT ABOUT PERFORMANCE?
This is where the Portabote Alpha 3000 really excels over ordinary rigid craft and inflatables. Imagine being able to get up on a “plane” using a tiny 3.5hp outboard. You can when one person is in the boat and at the helm.
Portabote takes a standard “short shaft” engine.
Do you know what kind of power it takes to get an equivalent sized aluminum or fiberglass boat up on a plane? You would have to invest in a high priced, exceedingly heavy engine that weighs as much as the hull!! And remember, you have to lift this cast iron monster over the transom to get it installed.
WHAT ABOUT MAINTENANCE OF THE HULL AND HINGES?
Almost no maintenance is required. It never needs painting!
Why? The color goes thru and thru every molecule. You couldn’t rub it off even if you tried. If it gets dirty just wash it off with mild soap and water. Almost nothing sticks to it. You won’t be spending your time cleaning and “rubbing” - just having fun, boating!
NOTE: Because of the much stronger UV Rays of the sun, we suggest using a product like STP. etc., once every few months if the Portabote will be left outside continually.
HOW PUNCTURE RESISTANT IS THE HULL?
Portabote’s Polypropylene hull is .15" inches thick… twice as thick as an aluminum hull.
And, unlike the thin skin of an inflatable (every inflatable comes with a patch kit) even the sharpest rocks would have a hard time piercing the almost indestructible Polypropylene Copolymer material.
Portabote is also used as a rescue craft by many municipalities around the world.
WHY IS PORTABOTE MUCH MORE STABLE THAN ORDINARY BOATS?
1. Flexibility is the secret to Portabote’s incredible stability!
Yes, Portabote’s unique FLEXI-HULL™ “flexes” and cooperates with the waves
This is the same reason inflatables are more stable than rigid craft. When a strong wave slams against the side of Portabote’s FLEXI-HULL™, the polypropylene copolymer flexes inwards approximately 12%. This immediately dissipates the energy of the wave & actually helped disperse its force. Although any boat can be capsized under certain conditions, It’s really harder to capsize one of these craft than a rigid aluminum or fiberglass boat. Always sit or stand in the center of any boat for best stability. Of course, safe boating is always a matter of using common sense.
2. Advanced Hull Design Portabote’s superior hull design creates a unique stability. Its patented concave cupped bottom LOCKS onto the water’s surface. Yet, it “glides” over logs and limbs. Even in high winds! 3. Extremely Low Hull Weights Folding Portabote hulls weigh in at an ultra-light weight.
2. Advanced Hull Design Portabote’s superior hull design creates a unique stability. Its patented concave cupped bottom LOCKS onto the water’s surface. Yet, it “glides” over logs and limbs. Even in high winds! 3. Extremely Low Hull Weights Folding Portabote hulls weigh in at an ultra-light weight.
WHY DON'T WE SEE PORTABOTE ALL OVER THE PLACE?
Simple…. They’re INVISIBLE!
When Portabote is mounted atop a car, it looks just like a surfboard. When on top of an RV (Caravan) you can’t see it at all! When Portabote is out on the water, it looks just like a “non-folding” boat. The only time you can be sure you’re looking at an honest to goodness Portabote is during the short time it takes to open or close one.
Once you own one and know “what it’s all about”, it’s easy to identify Portabote. All of a sudden, you notice them “all over the place.”
WHY DON'T THE PORTABOTE HINGES BREAK?
Excellent question. Of course there is nothing in this world that is completely indestructible (even this world). However, the miracle “Polypropylene Copolymer” is extremely tough. The entire hull is made of this stuff! Frankly, without it there could be no long lasting folding boat. The hinges are absolutely water tight and are so unique they have been granted international patents.
So, what exactly is this copolymer? It’s an exotic engineered resin originally developed by the U.S. Aero-Space industry. It has incredible properties. The hinges can take incredible stresses. They have been designed so that the higher the pressure on the hinge the more it “wants” to remain sealed. The Portabote hinges have been modulus tested at a rate of over 500,000 openings and closings without failure.
Also, our formula utilizes an ultra-violet (UV) filter. This renders the material unaffected by exposure to saltwater. It won’t even burn! This same formula is presently being used in the manufacture of the new “lifetime” batteries, automobile bumpers, bullet proof vests, Astroturf, and even non-rusting highway road signs. How long will it last? We have inspected 40 year old Portabotes and many looked almost as good as new!
That’s right…the hinges and hull material have now both been time-proven for 40 years by over 200,000 satisfied owners, worldwide!
That’s why we can offer our famous 10 year limited hull material warranty.
WHAT ADVANTAGES DOES PORTABOTE HAVE OVER AN INFLATABLE?
1. Save Time, Energy and Frustration!.
With an inflatable you have to spend almost an hour inflating and deflating. And, when you’re finally through, it really can be frustrating at the water’s edge. You’ve spent lots of time inflating only to find still another puncture that has to be repaired. (You’re lucky. You’re not out on the water, yet!) Every inflatable comes with a puncture repair kit. It’s not coincidental that almost 70% of Portabote purchases are made by “former inflatable owners who have “had it”.
2. Efficiency
Portabote has an extremely efficient hull design. A “deep keel-twin hydro-tunnel flexihull® design” traps the bow wave and guides it under the boat. This dramatically reduces drag and increases stability significantly. It requires only a fraction of the horsepower of an inflatable boat, which is really more like a floating waterbed than a boat. For example, with one person sitting in the 12′ 6″ model and with only a 3.5hp outboard (weighing less than 30 pounds), it will actually get up on a plane in less than 5 seconds! You would need at least a 20hp outboard (weighing over 80 pounds) to even come close in an inflatable!
3. Interior Space
Also, in an inflatable, fully 40% of the interior space is taken up with the air chambers (unless one of them punctures). You would need at least a 16 foot inflatable to match the interior space of a 12 foot Portabote!
So, what exactly is this copolymer? It’s an exotic engineered resin originally developed by the U.S. Aero-Space industry. It has incredible properties. The hinges can take incredible stresses. They have been designed so that the higher the pressure on the hinge the more it “wants” to remain sealed. The Portabote hinges have been modulus tested at a rate of over 500,000 openings and closings without failure.
Also, our formula utilizes an ultra-violet (UV) filter. This renders the material unaffected by exposure to saltwater. It won’t even burn! This same formula is presently being used in the manufacture of the new “lifetime” batteries, automobile bumpers, bullet proof vests, Astroturf, and even non-rusting highway road signs. How long will it last? We have inspected 40 year old Portabotes and many looked almost as good as new!
That’s right…the hinges and hull material have now both been time-proven for 40 years by over 200,000 satisfied owners, worldwide!
That’s why we can offer our famous 10 year limited hull material warranty.
Do you know that our boats are made from high quality recycled materials? Be eco-friendly with Portabote!
TOP QUALITY PACKAGING
Our boats ship in high-quality sturdy boxes to ensure that your boat arrives in perfect shape. We understand the significance of delivering your prized possession intact and ready for adventure. Each box is carefully designed and crafted to provide maximum protection during transit. From the moment your boat is packed, we prioritize its safety, utilizing robust materials that withstand the rigors of transportation. With our meticulous packaging process, you can have peace of mind, knowing that your boat will reach its destination in impeccable condition, ready to embark on countless memorable journeys.
CONNECTED WITH NATURE
Portabote is perfect for the avid fisherman, weekend warrior, or just enjoying a lazy day out on the lake. You won’t need a trailer to haul the incredible boat around. Just fold it up and strap it to the top of your car, back of your truck, or side of your RV. It goes anywhere you want to be. You’ll be amazed at the Portability, Stability, and Durability of this high performance boat.
WE ACCEPT
